symptoms of low hematocrit and hemoglobin

Even women who are of childbearing age, tend to have low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels during menstruation. For instance, pregnancy usually causes decreased hematocrit values because of the presence of extra fluid in the blood. There are some instances where a low RBC count is absolutely normal. It is not always that the lower values are a matter of concern. On the other hand, a normal RDW level accompanying a low MCV level signifies a different channel of blood loss, most notably through a hemorrhage in the body. If a person shows low MCV levels but high RDW levels, then the condition is being caused by a chronic iron deficiency. The MCV determines the actual size of the blood cells, and the RDW determines the differences in size between all the red blood cells. The means of discerning the hematocrit levels in the body are Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), and these help doctors determine if a person is having low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in the body. They are: (1) When the production of the red blood cells in the body gets disrupted or stops completely and (2) When there is an unpredicted amount of blood lost from the body, or the RBCs are getting destroyed. The causes of anemia can be grouped in two general categories. On the other hand, people having acute anemia (rapid anemia) will experience symptoms more intensely. People with chronic anemia will display less intense symptoms because their bodies have become accustomed to the condition. The intensity of symptoms also depends upon the severity of anemia, and the individual’s body type. Faster heart palpitations that suddenly crop up.The following are some of the common symptoms that would substantiate an RBC deficiency. Your doctor would usually prescribe a blood test when he/she feels that your signs and symptoms point towards an iron deficiency or anemia. Symptoms that May Indicate Lower Levelsĭeficiency of RBCs is medically known as anemia. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the meaning of the report results from the respective medical professional. Usually, a 7% difference (in higher or lower values) is seen among different diagnostic centers. Note that the values may vary from one medical authority to another.

The normal range in men is 40 to 54%, while for women the values range between 36 to 48%. The hematocrit is reported as a percentage of the volume of red blood cells in 100 ml of blood. The normal acceptable level of hemoglobin in men and women ranges between 14 to 18 g/dl and 12 to 16 g/dl respectively g/dl being the abbreviation for the measuring unit ‘grams per deciliter’. The values of both these components can be determined by conducting a complete blood count (CBC) test, as both are based on plasma volume. On the other hand, hematocrit is the measurement of the amount of RBCs present in the total blood volume.

Hemoglobin (Hb) is the protein found in RBCs that carries oxygen to the entire body. There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of blood, and for every 600 red blood cells, there are about 40 platelets and one white cell.īoth hemoglobin and hematocrit are linked with red blood cells (RBCs). This HealthHearty article gives you an overview of the symptoms and possible causes that could trigger the same. Low hematocrit and hemoglobin levels signify a decrease in red blood cells (RBCs) in the body.

Symptoms of low hematocrit and hemoglobin